Laundry machine



May 30, 1967 H. c. ELLIS 3,321,941

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed March 20, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 1 I! 28 K'LlO .1 1;; 48 84 FIGZ 46 32 4o 0 r I In 0 f f 60 1) JI L JIL HUBERT C. ELLIS May 30, 1967 H. c. ELLIS 3,321,941

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed March 20, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 22a 286 24 H 222 H24 M268 o a a o 0 o a a r- )0 34 I m a I" 26 I 2521; 30

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LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed March 20, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 o M o 256 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 20, 1964 INVENTOR. HUBERT C.

ELLIS May 30, 1967 H. c. ELLIS 3,321,941 LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed March 20, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fl 6- 7 INVENTOR.

HUBEFIT C. ELLIS May 30, 1967 H. c. ELLIS LAUNDRY MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 20, 1964 T CA1 INVENTOR.

HUBERT C ELLIS 1 ll/44 li 5 $755? 4 II dOM. 6Q

iom om y 1967 H. c. ELLIS 3,321,941

LAUNDRY MACHINE Filed March 20, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet '7 268 INVENTOR. 252 HUBERT C. ELLIS May 30, 1967 H. c. ELLIS LAUNDRY MACHINE 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed March 20, 1964 284 INVENTOR.

HUBERT C. ELLIS United States Patent 3,321,941 LAUNDRY MACHINE Hubert C. Ellis, Evanston, Ill., assignor to The Ellis Drier Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Mar. 20, 1964, Ser. No. 353,544 8 Claims. (Cl. 68-24) This invention relates to a machine for laundering fabrics and the like, and particularly to a machine adapted for use both as a washer and as an extractor. More particularly, the invention relates to a self-unloading horizontally mounted washing and extracting machine that is especially suited for use in commercial launderies.

Commercial laundry operations are greatly facilitated by employing a washer-extractor unit for both washing fabrics and extracting excess liquid from the fabrics after washing. However, the provision of such a unit poses significant problems. The construction of the unit and the manner in which it is operated must provide for the considerable centrifugal forces encountered at the high rotational speeds required for extraction. Heretofore, it has been necessary to closely limit the weight of the fabrics, and in certain units, additional structure has been incorporated in the laundering cylinder for distributing the load. It is also highly desirable for efliciency in operation that provision be made for convenient loading and unloading. The prior end and side loading units have been lacking in convenience. The loading efficiency has been reduced further by the necessity for controlling the weight of the fabrics and their disposition in the unit.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine for laundering fabrics and the like that overcomes prior problems and furnishes significant structural and operational advantages.

Another object is to provide a machine that is well adapted for extracting fabrics at high rotational speeds while not requiring close control of the weight and disposition of the fabrics.

An additional object is to provide a machine that enables loading and unloading to be conducted very elficiently.

A further object is to provide a combination washer and extractor that may be loaded rapidly and conveniently, operated substantially continuously through washing and extracting cycles, and unloaded rapidly and conveniently following extraction.

A particular object is to provide a machine having new and improved mounting structure that controls the vibrational movement of a laundering cylinder rotating at high speeds for extraction.

Another particular object is to provide a machine having an inner rotatable laundering cylinder and an outer casing cylinder surrounding the laundering cylinder, the casing cylinder being rotatable to permit access to the interior of the unit at any location therearound, so that loading and unloading may be conducted in the most desirable ways.

An additional particular object is to provide a machine of the foregoing type wherein the laundering cylinder includes an access door and fastening means that are especially adapted for operation at high rotational speeds and that also cooperate with the casing cylinder and an access door thereof.

These and other objects, advantages and functions of the invention will be apparent from the specification and from the attached drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the new laundry machine, wherein like parts views, and wherein: are identified by like reference symbols in each of the FIGURE 1 is an elevational view of one side of the machine, with parts broken away and in section, showing the casing cylinder as disposed during the washing and extracting cycles;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the opposite side of the machine, showing the casing cylinder disposed as in FIG. 1, with part of a brake housing on the machine removed to reveal the braking apparatus;

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of the front of the machine, showing the casing cylinder rotated to a different position from FIGS. 1 and 2 to illustrate its door structure;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of the rear of the machine, showing the casing cylinder disposed as in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view of the machine, taken substantially on lines 55 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevational view of the machine with the casing cylinder disposed as in FIG. 3, illustrating one end of the machine with parts removed and certain parts in section to show the braking structure and adjacent mounting structure;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged broken fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the machine, showing the mounting structure for the laundering cylinder;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged broken fragmentary elevational view of the access doors and door fastening means of the laundering cylinder;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged broken fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken substantially on line 99 of FIG. 8, showing the door fastening means on one of the access doors of the laundering cylinder;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged broken fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially on lines 10-10 of FIGS. 8 and 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged broken fragmentary transverse sectional view taken substantially on line 11--11 of FIG. 4, showing the apparatus for introducing liquids into the machine;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged broken fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken on line l212 of FIG. 3, showing a door of the casing cylinder and the mounting structure therefor;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken on line 1313 of FIG. 3, showing a door closure joint on the casing cylinder; and

FIG. 14 is a partly sectional diagrammatic view of the machine with parts broken away and parts removed, together with a loading hopper, shown fragmentarily in elevation, and a laundry cart, also shown in elevation, illustrating the manner in which the machine may be loaded and unloaded.

Referring to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 15 the laundry machine 10 includes two spaced parallel rectangular base or foundation blocks 12 resting on a suitable floor or supporting surface 14. Two generally triangular supports 16 are mounted on respective base blocks and converge upwardly therefrom. An isolation pad 18 is interposed between each base block and the support thereon. A pair of tie rods 21 extend between the supports adjacent opposite sides thereof and at an elevation between the tops and bottoms of the supports for joining them together and rigidifying the structure. An inner hollow laundering cylinder 22 is disposed horizontally between the supports and mounted thereon for rotation about its axis. An outer hollow casing cylinder 24 encloses the laundering cylinder. The casing cylinder is horizontally disposed between the supports coaxially with the laundering cylinder and mounted on the supports for rotation about its axis.

Two stub shafts or axles 26 and 28 are fixed to the opposite ends of the laundering cylinder 22 and extend axially outwardly therefrom. Each of the shafts is rotatably mounted in a bearing housing 30 secured on top of one of the supports 16. One of the shafts extends through the bearing housing into a pulley housing 32. The remaining shaft 28 extends through the bearing housing into a brake housing 34.

A platform 36 extends horizontally between the supports 6 and is pivotally mounted on their rear sides. The platform is supported by hydraulic shock absorbers or snubbers 38 mounted on the sides of the supports and extending outwardly beneath the platform and connected thereto. A reversible variable speed drive motor 40 is mounted on the platform adjacent to the pulley housing 32. A multiple belt drive pulley 42 is driven by the motor. A relatively large multiple belt driven pulley 44 is keyed to the laundering cylinder shaft 26. V-belts are trained over the pulleys. The pulleys, belts, and shafts are enclosed by the pulley housing 32. In this manner, the drive motor is drivingly connected to the laundering cylinder shaft 26 at one end of the machine for rotating the cylinder about its axis at various selected rotational speeds.

The brake housing 34 is mounted on the support 16 at the opposite end of the machine, and the housing extends outwardly from the support. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 6, wherein parts of the brake housing are removed, a conventional brake cylinder 48 is mounted in fixed position on the brake housing. The brake cylinder includes spaced apart relatively movable lined brake elements 50 and a pneumatic fitting 52. A brake disk 54 is keyed to the laundering cylinder shaft 28 at its outer end and extends between the brake elements 50 for rotation therebetween. The brake elements are operated to move them together and apply braking pressure to the brake disk, and to move them apart and release the pressure thereon, by applying pressure to the brake cylinder and releasing pressure therefrom through the fitting 52, in a conventional manner. In this manner, the shaft 28 and thus the laundering cylinder 22 may be braked to reduce the speed of rotation or stop them from rotating.

Referring to FIGS. 16, a pair of drive rollers 56 and a pair of idler rollers 58 are mounted on respective supports 16. The rollers are mounted at an elevation between the tops and bottoms of the supports adjacent opposite sides thereof, and the rollers extend inwardly from the supports. The opposite ends of the casing cylinder 24 are rotatably supported by the respective rollers. A casing drive unit 60 is mounted on the support bearing the drive rollers for driving the rollers and thereby rotating the casing cylinder about its axis, The drive unit includes a reversible drive motor 62 connected to a shaft 64 (see FIG. 6) to which one of the drive rollers is keyed. A sprocket wheel 66 is keyed to the shaft and a similar sprocket wheel, not shown, is keyed to a shaft bearing the remaining drive roller. An endless chain 68 is trained on the sprockets. In this manner, the casing cylinder 24 may be rotated by the drive unit in either direction about its axis. The casing cylinder and the laundering cylinder 22 are separately and independently mounted for rotating each independently of the other.

Two brackets 70 are mounted on the rear sides of the respective supports 16 adjacent the tops thereof and the brackets extend rearwardly and upwardly therefrom. A hollow rectangular beam 72 is mounted on the outer ends of the brackets and extends horizontally between the supports. A wash liquid supply manifold 74 is mounted on the beam centrally between opposite ends of the casing cylinder 24. The manifold includes respective hot and cold water pipes 76 and pneumatic valves 78 connected thereto. The valves are joined by inlets 79 to a hollow mixing chamber 80. A supply pipe 82 also is connected to the mixing chamber. The supply manifold serves to introduce washing liquids into the casing cylinder 24, as described subsequently. An electrical control unit 84 is mounted on the floor 14 adjacent to one of the base blocks 12. The electrically energized and pneumatically operated mechanisms are operated from the control unit.

In accordance with an important object of the invention, the laundry machine is uniquely constructed for both washing and extracting fabric articles and the like. Referring especially to FIGS. 5-10, the laundering cylinder 22 includes two spaced parallel circular imperforate opposite end walls 86. A tubular side wall 88 extends between the end walls and has a horizontally disposed axis which also constitutes the axis of the cylinder. In the illustrative embodiment, a circular transverse partition or wall 92 extends across the side wall 88 normal to the axis of the wall (see FIGS. 5 and 9). The partition divides the cylinder into two compartments 93 of equal size on opposite sides thereof.

Two door openings are provided in the sides wall for access to respective compartments 93 (see FIGS. 5, l0 and 14). The openings are rectangular in development, and they extend longitudinally in alignment between respective end walls 86 and the partition 92. Two pairs of arcuate access doors 94 and 96 rectangular in development are mounted on the side wall 88, with one pair disposed on each side of the partition 92. Each door is constructed of an arcuate panel curved transversely on the side wall radius. The doors in each pair are adjacent to each other in circumferential alignment, and they fit closely in a door opening 90. The doors include respective outer longitudinal side margins or edges 98 and 100 which abut on the edges of the side wall 88 along opposite longitudinal sides of the door opening, where the doors are pivotally or hingedly mounted for opening and closing the door opening, as described subsequently. The doors include respective inner longitudinal side margins 102 and 104 which abut on each other with the doors closed. The cylinder side wall and the doors together form a substantially complete cylindrical tube, and both are perforated to permit liquids to fiow into and out of the cylinder.

Each compartment 93 of the laundering cylinder 22 is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending elongated angular perforated vanes 106. The vanes are secured on the inner surface of the side wall 88 in equidistantly spaced apart parallel relation therearound, and they converge inwardly from the side wall. A like vane 106a is secured on the innersurface of one door 96 for each compartment and is likewise spaced equidistantly from parallel side wall vanes 106 on opposite sides thereof. The vanes extend in each compartment from the end wall 86 thereof to the center partition 92, and the door vane 106a forms the inner margin 104 of the door 96. The vanes serve to carry and distribute the load in the laundering cylinder.

A plurality of parallel circumferentially extending arcuate reinforcing bands 110 are secured on the outer surface of the laundering cylinder side wall 88. The bands are equidistantly spaced apart in the longitudinal direction around each cylinder compartment 93, and they extend around the side wall from one side of the door opening 90 to the opposite side thereof. Two pin holder bars 112 are secured to the opposite sides of each band at each end thereof in a suitable manner, such as by welding, and the bars extend circumferentially therebeyond to project over the door opening. Registering circular openings 114 are provided in the respective bars, and a pivot pin or hinge pin 116 is journaled therein. A like plurality of circumferentially extending arcuate reinforcing bands 118 and 120 are secured on the outer surfaces of the respective doors 94 and 96 in circumferential alignment with the side wall bands and with each other. The outer end of each door band is provided with a fixed ring 121 having a circular opening 122 registering with the openings 114 in the pin holder bars. A pivot pin 116 is fixedly secured in each of the rings. In this manner, the doors are mounted on the side wall for pivotal external movement of the doors about respective parallel longitudinal axes along their outer margins 98 and 100 to open and close the door opening.

The inner ends of the door bands 118 and 120 substantially abut on each other over the door vane 106a,

where apparatus is provided for fastening the bands together. Bolt keeper bars 124 are secured to the door bands 124) and extend circumferentially therebeyond on opposite sides of the remaining door bands 118. The keeper bars are provided with aligned circular openings 126. The ends of the remaining door bands are formed by keeper rings 127 having circular openings 128 registering with the keeper bar openings. Cylindrical sliding lock bolts 136a and 13% are received in the openings.

Each door vane 186a is open to the outside, and supporting structure for the lock bolts is mounted therein. End plates 132 are secured within the vane adjacent the cylinder end wall 86 and the partition 92, respectively. A tubular sleeve 134 is secured to each end plate and extends longitudinally inwardly therefrom. The sleeves register with circular openings 136 provided in the end plates. Two bolt operating rods 138a and 1318b extend longitudinally in each vane 106a and are slidably mounted in the sleeves. The rods are also slidably supported by transverse guide plates 140 and retainer plates 142 mounted in the vane and having openings through which the rods extend. The rods 138a and 13811 are provided with respective right and left hand threaded inner ends 144a and 14412. An operating nut or turnbuckle 146 is mounted between the retainer plates 142. The threaded ends of the rods extend through the retainer plates into threaded engagement with correspondingly right and left hand internally threaded ends of the nut. A plurality of tool receiving recesses 148 are provided on the nut therearound, and the recesses are accessible from the outside. Door bands 118a and 120a are aligned with the nut and terminate short of the door vane 106a. Longitudinal braces 150 and 152 extend across the inner ends of the respective bands and are secured thereto and to respective adjacent door bands 118 and 126.

Bolt holders 154 are secured in fixed positions on each of the rods 138a and 138i; therealong. A lock bolt 130a and 130!) is fixedly mounted in each of the bolt holders in register with the keeper openings 126 and 128. In this manner, the lock bolts are mounted on the rods for movement therewith. When the operating nut 146 is turned in one direction, the rods 138a and 13% are moved apart longitudinally, and the lock bolts are moved into the keeper openings in locking interengagement with the keeper bars 124 and rings 127. The doors 94 and 96 are locked together thereby, to close the door opening 90. When the operating nut is turned in the opposite direction, the lock bolts are withdrawn from the keepers, and the doors may be swung outwardly about the axes of the pivot pins 116 to open the doors.

The structure of the doors and the fastening apparatus serves to securely hold the doors closed at the high rotational speeds of the laundering cylinder 22. It will be observed that the lock bolts 1363a and 130]) are securely held in their locking positions, and they move only longitudinally, in parallel to the rotational axis. The several side wall bands 110 and the door bands 118 and 120 adjacent thereto are joined together continuously around the cylinder, to provide a strong and rigid construction around the cylinder. The fastening apparatus adds relatively little surface structure to the cylinder, and the apparatus is maintained substantially within the confines of the remainder of the cylinder, to provide a compact unit. At the same time, the fastening apparatus is conveniently accessible and readily operated.

As seen in FIG. 7, the stub shaft 26 of the laundering cylinder 22 is an integral part of a trunnion 160 centrally mounted on the cylinder end wall 86 by means of bolts 162. A like trunnion is mounted on the opposite end wall of the cylinder, and it includes the remaining stub shaft 28 (FIG. 6). The shafts extend axially from the end walls for supporting the cylinder for rotation about its axis. Each of the shafts extends outwardly through the adjacent end of the casing cylinder 24, and each is provided with a polished sleeve 164 to provide a seal with the end of 6 the casing cylinder, as described subsequently. A cylindrical roller bearing 166 is mounted on each shaft, and the bearings are supported in the bearing housings 30 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7.

Each bearing housing 30 includes a horizontal base plate 168 bolted or otherwise secured to a support 16. Parallel upstanding rectangular lower front and rear walls 170 and 172 are secured to the base plate along opposite margins thereof on opposite sides of the bearing 166. Parallel upstanding semicircular upper front and rear Walls 174 and 176 are mounted on the lower walls. The upper and lower walls are secured together by means of lugs 178 and 180 on the respective walls and bolts 182 that connect the lugs together. The upper and lower walls together define respective front and rear openings 184 and 186 through which the shaft 26 extends. The upper front wall 174 is also provided with a hole 188 therethrough, for a purpose described subsequently. Semicircular upper and lower support plates 190 and 191 extend between the respective upper and lower front and rear walls and are secured thereto. The support plates surround the bearing 166 coaxially with the shaft.

The bearing 166 includes an integral annular guide band 192 which projects radially outwardly therefrom. A pair of circular retaining rings 194 having annular recesses 196 facing each other are adapted to be secured to the bearing with the guide band received in the recesses. The rings are provided with aligned bolt holes 198 equidistantly therearound, and the holes receive bolts 200 which secure the rings together on the hearing. The rings are also provided with aligned transverse grooves 202 at one location on their periphery and arranged to register with the front wall hole 188.

The support plates 190 and 191 are spaced radially outwar-dly from the retaining rings 194, and an endless flexible resilient circular tube or tire 204 is mounted in the space therebetween. The tube preferably is constructed in the manner of a vehicle tire, of fabric layers and vulcanized rubber, for use at internal pressures ranging from 5 to 100 p.s.i.g. An access fitting 206 is mounted in the tube wall on its inner periphery, and the fitting is provided with an air passage or opening 208 extending from the exterior to the interior of the tube for internally pressurizing and depressurizing the tube. A circular mounting rim 210 is vulcanized to the inner periphery of the tube, and the rim is provided with an opening 211 that receives the fitting 206 therein. The rim includes an inwardly extending integral annular flange 212 around its outer margin. The flange lies adjacent to one of the retaining rings 194 therearound, and the flange is bolted to the retaining rings by the ring bolts 200. In this manner, the tube is mounted on the bearing 166 for supporting the bearing and the shaft 26 therearound. The outer periphery of the tube is in contact with and supported by the support plates 190 and 191 therearound. An air conduit 216 is inserted through the hole 188 in the housing front wall 174 and into the ring grooves 202, where it is connected to the access fitting 206 by a connector 218. Air is supplied to and exhausted from the tube through the conduit and the connector. The conduit is connected to a suitable source of air under pressure (not shown) for maintaining the tube at any desired internal pressure.

The foregoing mounting structure for the laundering cylinder 22 embodies air cushioned shock absorbing apparatus for controlling the vibration of the cylinder when it is rotated. The pressure within the supporting tubes may be adjusted between the operating cycles or during the cycles. Thus, for example, the tube pressure may be relatively low during the washing cycle, and it may be relatively high during the extraction cycle to control the greater vibration at high rotational speeds. The vibration is readily controlled in this manner, so that careful balance loading of the laundering cylinder is not required.

Referring to FIGS. 57 and 11-14, the casing cylinder 24 includes two parallel circular imperforate end walls 220 and a tubular imperforate side wall 222 extending longitudinally between the end walls and having a horizontally disposed axis. The casing cylinder encloses the laundering cylinder 22 with their side walls coaxial with each other. The casing cylinder end and side walls 220 and 222 are spaced outwardly from the respective laundering cylinder end and side walls 86 and 88.

As described above, the casing cylinder is supported on the drive rollers 56 and the idler rollers 58, and it is rotated about its axis on the rollers independently of the laundering cylinder. More particularly, the casing cylinder includes circular rims 224 that extend integrally from its end walls 220 and are secured on the outer end surfaces of its side wall 222 therearound. The rims reinforce the ends of the cylinder, and they are seated on the rollers. The cylinder is rotated by engagement of the drive rollers with the rim thereon.

Each casing cylinder end wall 220 includes an outer annular wall section 226 and an inner annular wall section 228 secured to the outer section by means of bolts 230. The laundering cylinder shafts 26 and 28 extend outwardly through the openings in the inner wall sections 228. A flexible resilient annular closure 232 is secured to each inner wall section by means of bolts 234. The closure bridges the space between the inner wall section and the sleeve 164 on the shaft 26 or 28. A flexible resilient sealing ring 236 of conventional construction is mounted on the closure around its inner periphery. The closure resiliently urges the sealing ring against the sleeve to provide a seal around the shaft.

The casing cylinder side wall 222 is provided with two door openings 238 rectangular in development, as indicated in FIGS. 12 and 14. The door openings are in longitudinal alignment and are arranged for registering with the respective d-oor openings 90 in the laundering cylinder. The dimensions of the casing cylinder door openings are greater than those of the laundering cylinder door openings, for reasons which will appear later. Arcuate transverse strips 240 are joined to the side wall 222 at opposite ends of the casing cylinder by means of bolts 242, and the strips form the end margins of the door openings 238. An arcuate outer door guide channel 244 is mounted on each strip along the adjacent opening and is secured to the strip. by means of bolts 246. An arcuate center transverse door guide channel 248 is mounted on the side wall and separates the door openings. An arcuate door 250 rectangular in development is slidably mounted in each outer guide channel and in the center guide channel. As seen most clearly in FIGS. and 6, each door is constructed of arcuate panels curved transversely substantially on the radius of the side wall 222 and joined together at longitudinally extending flanged reinforcing joints 252, 254 and 256. Transverse arcuate reinforcing strips 258 are provided along the end margins of each door adjacent to the guide channels.

Referring particularly to FIGS. 5 and 14, each of the casing cylinder doors 250 is circumferentially movable in the guide channels between a closed position over one of door openings 238 and an open position permitting access to the laundering cylinder 22. The doors slide on the outer surface of the casing cylinder side wall 222. When open, the doors overlap the side wall substantially completely. When closed, a marginal panel 260 on each door overlaps the side wall to form a closure along one side of the door. A closure joint is formed between a marginal panel 262 on the opposite side of each door and the side wall. As seen most clearly in FIG. 13, this panel includes a reversely bent edge 264 and a stop flange 266. An outer angular guide strip 268 and an inner straight guide strip 270 having reversely bent edges are secured to the casing side wall 222 by bolts 272 along the adjacent longitudinal edge of the side wall bordering the door openings. The guide strips form a channel receiving the door edge 264 therein. A sealing strip 274 formed of rubber or the like is mounted in the channel for sealing engagement with the door edge. The stop flange 266 serves to limit the movement of the door when it is open, by abutting on the opposite longitudinal edge of the casing side wall.

The casing cylinder 24 may be rotated at any time and in either direction independently of the laundering cylinder 22. The respective door openings 238 and Q0 may be brought into register at any rotational position thereof. FIGS. 5 and 14 illustrate three different rotational positions in which the cylinders desirably are disposed. The cylinders are illustrated in full lines in FIG. 14 in their positions in which the machine .is loaded from a hopper 276 with the doors 94, 96 and 250 open. The respective door openings 238 and 90 are disposed in the upper forward quadrant of the machine. The casing cylinder door opening 238 is dimensioned to allow the laundering cylinder doors 94 and 96 to be swung outwardly therethrough, and the doors may be swung back to rest on the adjacent marginal parts of the casing cylinder. The hopper is mounted above the machine in an upper floor 278. The hopper includes a pivotally mounted chute 280 having a discharge opening 282 at its lower end. The discharge opening is arranged to register with the door openings for dropping articles into the laundering cylinder 22.

Another position of the cylinders is illustrated by phantom lines in FIG. 14. In this position, the respective door openings are in register at the bottom of the machine with the doors open for dropping the load. The base blocks 12 and the supports 16 thereon are spaced apart and the cylinders are elevated for distances sufficient to accommodate a portable laundry cart 284, which is moved into position beneath the cylinders to receive the load.

In performing the loading and unloading operations, the casing cylinder doors 250 are opened and closed by grasping the flanges of the joints 252, 254 and 256. With these doors open, the operating nuts 146 (FIGS. 8 and 9) are readily accessible for locking and unlocking the laundering cylinder doors 94 and 96. The latter doors are opened and closed merely by swinging them outwardly and inwardly. When the laundering cylinders doors are open, they cover the spaces between the respective cylinder side walls 88 and 222 along the door openings to prevent articles from becoming lodged between the cylinders.

The casing cylinder 24 is illustrated in FIG. 5 in the position in which it is disposed during the washing and extracting cycles. In this position, the door opening 238 is at the top of the machine, with the door 250 closed. The laundering cylinder 22 is rotated and stopped intermittently during these cycles, and it may assume any position when stopped.

As seen most clearly in FIGS. 4, 5 and 11, a liquid header 286 is secured on the casing cylinder side wall 222 and extends longitudinally between the rims 224. The header includes an outer three-sided duct 288 and an inner peforated distributing plate 290. Liquids supplied to the header are distributed over the length of the laundering cylinder 22 and pass through the perforations in the side wall 88 thereof into contact with articles contained therein.

A circular inlet opening 292 is provided in the outer wall of the duct, and a supply tube 294 is secured to the duct around the opening. An annular sealing flange 296 is secured around the periphery of the tube at its outer end. The mixing chamber of the liquid supply manifold 74 is provided with an integral annular sealing flange 298 which aligns with the tube sealing flange thereaound. The chamber flange is provided with an annular groove 300 facing the tube flange. A retaining ring 302 is mounted in the groove. A resilient elastomeric sealing ring 304 of generally U-shaped cross section is received in the groove and secured therein by the retaining ring. The rings are secured in place by means of screws 306 inserted through the flange 298. An annular space 308 remains between the retaining ring and the sealing ring, and a pneumatic fitting 310 is attached to the retaining ring in communication with the space. An air conduit 312 is connected to 9 t the fitting for pressurizing the annular space to form a liquid-tight seal between the flanges. The pressure is relieved and the seal broken by venting through the air conduit.

In this manner, the liquid supply manifold 74 is connected to the casing cylinder in the position illustrated in FIG. 5. Hot and cold water may be supplied to the mixing chamber through the pipes 76, and liquid cleaning agents, bleaches and the like may be supplied to the chamber through the supply pipe 82. The liquids mix in the chamher and in the header 286, and they flow into the laundering cylinder. When the casing cylinder is to be rotated to any other position, such as the positions illustrated in FIG. 14, the annular space 308 in the sealing ring 304 is vented, so that the outer face of the sealing ring returns to a normally concave position removed from contact with the tube flange 296. The duct 288, the supply tube 294, and the tube sealing flange 296 rotate with the casing cylinder 24 and separate from the mixing chamber 80 when moved out of the position shown in FIG. 5. The tube flange 296 and the mixing chamber flange 298 are spaced apart sufiiciently to provide the clearance necessary for separating the members in this manner.

Referring to FIG. 5, the casing cylinder side wall 222 includes a longitudinal section 320 diametrically opposite to the door opening 238 and secured to the remainder of the side wall at reinforcing flanged joints 322 and 324. A circular discharge opening 326 is provided in the section, centrally between the ends of the cylinder. A valve seat 328 in the form of an annular flange is mounted on the outer surface of the section around the opening. A tubular discharge conduit 330 of greater diameter is mounted on the section around the valve seat. A discharge valve 332 is mounted within the conduit adjacent to the valve seat. The valve includes an inflatable circular tube or bladder 334 constructed of resilient elastomeric material. A flexible air hose 336 is connected to the tube for inflating and deflating it. A circular valve disk 338 is mounted for movement to and from the valve seat 328 as the tube expands and contracts. In the illustration, the valve is open to permit liquids to drain from the cylinders. When the tube is inflated, the valve disk is moved into sealing engagement with the valve seat, thereby closing the discharge opening and retaining liquid within the cylinders. When the tube is vented through the air hose 336, the tube contracts and the valve returns to its open position with the disk withdrawn from the valve seat.

In operation, the machine 10 is loaded with fabrics or the like in the manner illustrated in full lines in FIG. 14. The laundering cylinder 22 and the casing cylinder 24 are disposed with their respective door openings 90 and 238 registering in the upper forward quadrant of the machine, and with their doors 94, 96 and 250* open. Articles are discharged from the hopper 276 through the chute 280, and they fall through the door openings into the laundering cylinder. The machine may be loaded rapidly without necessity for close control of the weight and disposition of the articles.

The doors are closed, and the casing cylinder 24 is rotated to its position illustrated in FIG. 5, by means of the casing drive unit 60. With the discharge valve 332 closed and with the supply manifold 74 connected to the liquid header 286 and sealed in the manner illustrated in FIG. 11, wash liquids are supplied to the cylinders through the water pipes 76 and the supply pipe 82. The laundering cylinder 22 is rotated at washing speeds by its drive motor 40 while the casing cylinder remains stationary. Washing may take place at a rotational speed of about 28 revolutions per minute in the case of a laundering cylinder having a diameter of 54 inches and a length of 54 inches. The washing cycle may continue for about three quarters of an hour, with the direction of rotation of the laundering cylinder being reversed three to four times per minute. Fresh wash liquids, including rinse liquids, are introduced through the manifold 74 periodiid cally, while opening the discharge valve to drain spent liquid after completing each portion of the washing cycle.

When the washing cycle is complete, the laundering cylinder 22 is rotated at an intermediate speed, e.g., about to 200 rpm, to distribute the load around the cylinder. The laundering cylinder then is rotated at an extracting speed of about 650 to 850 rpm. for about 15 minutes, with the discharge valve open. The air pressure in the laundering cylinder supporting tubes 204 (FIG. 7) is adjusted between the washing and extracting cycles to control vibration at high speeds. If desired, the pressure may be adjusted during the extracting cycle.

Upon completion of the extracting cycle, the discharge valve 332 is closed, and the cylinders are rotated to their unloading positions illustrated by phantom lines in FIG. 14. The cylinder doors are opened, and the load drops into the laundry cart 284. The cylinders then are rotated to their positions shown in full lines in FIG. 14, for commencing a new cycle of operation. The air pressure in the supporting tubes 204 may be adjusted for the next washing cycle at any time following completion of the extracting cycle.

The invention thus provides a laundry machine which is well adapted for successively washing and extracting articles in a continuous operation. The new structure provides for a smooth transition from the washing cycle to the extracting cycle, and both cycles are conducted with a minimum of vibration. Loading and unloading operations may be performed rapidly and conveniently at the most desirable positions of the cylinder door openings.

It will be apparent that various changes and modifications may be made in the construction and arrangement of the components of the new machine within the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that such changes and modifications be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

it. In a machine for laundering fabrics and the like, a laundering cylinder including two opposite end walls, a tubular side wall extending between said end walls and having a horizontally disposed axis, said side wall having a door opening therein, and an access door mounted on said side wall for movement to open and. closed said door opening; first mounting means for said laundering cylinder including shafts extending axially from said end walls respectively for supporting the cylinder for rotation about said axis, flexible tubes surrounding said shafts for supporting the shafts therearound, said tubes being adapted to be internally pressurized and depressurized, and means for supporting said tubes therearound, whereby the pressure within said tubes may be adjusted to control the vibration of said laundering cylinder when rotated; a casing cylinder enclosing said laundering cylinder, said casing cylinder including a tubular side wall coaxial with said laundering cylinder side wall and having a door opening therein arranged for registering with said laundering cylinder door opening, and an access door mounted on said casing cylinder side wall for movement to open and close said door opening therein; second mounting means independent of said first mounting means for mounting said casing cylinder entirely independently of said laundering cylinder and for rotation about said axis; drive means connected to one of said shafts for rotating said laundering cylinder about said axis independently of said casing cylinder; and drive means for rotating said casing cylinder about said axis, whereby the respective cylinder door openings may be disposed in register with each other at a plurality of rotational positions for performing loading and unloading operations thereat.

2. In a machine for laundering fabrics and the like, a laundering cylinder including two opposite end walls, a tubular side wall extending between said end walls and having a horizontally disposed axis, said side wall having a door opening therein, and an access door mounted on said side wall for movement to open and close said door opening; first means mounting said laundering cylinder for rotation about said axis including external shafts extending axially from said end walls respectively; a casing cylinder enclosing said laundering cylinder, said casing cylinder including a tubular side wall coaxial with said laundering cylinder side wall and having a door opening therein arranged for registering with said laundering cylinder door opening, and an access door mounted on said casing cylinder side Wall for movement to open and close said door opening therein; second means independent of said first means for mounting said casing cylinder for rotation about said axis and entirely independently of said laundering cylinder, said second means including rollers supporting the casing cylinder entirely independently of said laundering cylinder; drive means connected to one of said shafts for rotating said laundering cylinder about said axis independently of said casing cylinder; and drive means connected to said rollers for rotating said casing cylinder about said axis independently of said laundering cylinder, whereby the respective cylinder door openings may be disposed in register with each other at a plurality of rotational positions for performing loading and unloading operations thereat.

3. In a laundering machine for use both as a washer and as an extractor, a foraminous laundering cylinder including a tubular side wall having the ends thereof closed by end walls and arranged with the axis thereof disposed substantially horizontally, an access door mounted on said side wall for movement between opened and closed positions; a fluid-tight casing cylinder including a tubular side wall surrounding said laundering cylinder and having the ends thereof extending beyond the ends of said laundering cylinder and closed by end walls and having the axis thereof arranged generally horizontally, and an access door mounted on said casing cylinder side wall for movement between opened and closed positions and arranged for registering with said laundering cylinder door; a pair of shafts extending axially from the end walls of said laundering cylinder and through the end walls of said casing cylinder, mounting means respectively for each of said shafts disposed outwardly with respect to the ends of said casing cylinder for supporting the laundry cylinder for rotation about its axis, a flexible tube on each of said mounting means surrounding the associated shaft for supporting the shaft passing therethr-ough, said tube being adapted to be internally pressurized and depressurized, drive means connected to one of said shafts and operable for rotating said laundering cylinder about its axis independently of said casing cylinder and at a first lower washing speed and at a second higher extracting speed, and means for increasing the pressure in said flexible tubes when said drive means is operated at the second higher extracting speed to control the vibration of said laundering cylinder at the higher extracting speed.

4. The combination set forth in claim 3, wherein a flexible fluidtight seal is provided between each end wall of said casing cylinder and the associated shaft to preserve the fluid-tight character of said casing cylinder.

5. The combination set forth in claim 3, wherein second mounting means independent of the laundering cylinder mounting means is provided for rotatably supporting the casing cylinder entirely independently of said laundering cylinder, and a second drive means is provided for rotating said casing cylinder about its axis independently of said laundering cylinder.

6. In a laundering machine for use both as a washer and as an extractor, a fluid-tight casing cylinder including a tubular side wall having the ends thereof closed by end walls and disposed with the axis thereof generally horizontal, an access door mounted on said side wall and movable between opened and closed positions, a washing fluid inlet connection mounted on said side wall and extending laterally outwardly therefrom, a washing fluid outlet mounted on said side wall and disposed diametrically opposite said door; first means mounting said casing cylinder for rotation about its axis between a loading position and a washing position and an unloading position, said outlet being disposed downwardly in the washing position and said door being disposed downwardly in said unloading position, first drive means connected to said casing cylinder for moving it between its several positions; a source of washing fluid mounted adjacent to said casing cylinder and in position to connect with said inlet connection when said casing cylinder is in the washing position thereof; a foraminous laundering cylinder disposed within said casing cylinder and including a tubular side wall having the ends closed by end walls and having the axis thereof disposed generally horizontally, an access door mounted on the side wall of said laundering cylinder for movement between opened and closed positions and arranged for registering with said casing cylinder door, a support shaft mounted on each of said laundering cylinder end walls and extending axially outwardly therefrom through said casing cylinder end walls, mounting structure disposed outwardly with respect to the adjacent casing cylinder end wall and receiving the associated shaft to support said laundering cylinder for rotation about its axis; second drive means connected to one of said shafts for rotating said laundering cylinder about its axis independently of said casing cylinder at a first lower washing speed and at a second higher extracting speed; whereby said doors may be disposed in register with each other at said loading position and at said unloading position for performing respectively the loading operation and unloading operation thereat.

7. The combination set forth in claim 6, wherein an inflatable seal is provided between said source of washing fluid and said inlet connection and a valve is provided in said outlet.

8. The combination set forth in claim 6, wherein a flexible tube is provided on each of said mounting means surrounding the associated shaft for supporting the shaft passing therethrough, said tube being adapted to be internally pressurized and depressurized, and means for increasing the pressure in said flexible tubes when said second drive means is operated at the second higher extracting speed to control the vibration of said laundering cylinder at the higher extracting speed.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 779,746 1/1905 Smith 68-144 X 1,129,128 2/1915 Shainline 68210 X 1,775,878 9/1930 White 68-210 2,112,514 3/1938 Beattie et al 68-21O X 2,259,942 10/1941 Stroud.

3,193,097 7/1965 Betz 210402 X FOREIGN PATENTS 841,570 2/1939 France.

82,519 8/1956 Netherlands.

IRVING BUNEVICH, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR LAUNDERING FABRICS AND THE LIKE, A LAUNDERING CYLINDER INCLUDING TWO OPPOSITE END WALLS, A TUBULAR SIDE WALL EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID END WALLS AND HAVING A HORIZONTALLY DISPOSED AXIS, SAID SIDE WALL HAVING A DOOR OPENING THEREIN, AND AN ACCESS DOOR MOUNTED ON SAID SIDE WALL FOR MOVEMENT TO OPEN AND CLOSED SAID DOOR OPENING; FIRST MOUNTING MEANS FOR SAID LAUNDERING CYLINDER INCLUDING SHAFTS EXTENDING AXIALLY FROM SAID END WALLS RESPECTIVELY FOR SUPPORTING THE CYLINDER FOR ROTATION ABOUT SAID AXIS, FLEXIBLE TUBES SURROUNDING SAID SHAFTS FOR SUPPORTING THE SHAFTS THEREAROUND, SAID TUBES BEING ADAPTED TO BE INTERNALLY PRESSURIZED AND DEPRESSURIZED, AND MEANS FOR SUPPORTING SAID TUBES THEREAROUND, WHEREBY THE PRESSURE WITHIN SAID TUBES MAY BE ADJUSTED TO CONTROL THE VIBRATION OF SAID LAUNDERING CYLINDER WHEN ROTATED; A CASING CYLINDER ENCLOSING SAID LAUNDERING CYLINDER, SAID CASING CYLINDER INCLUDING A TUBULAR SIDE WALL COAXIAL WITH SAID LAUNDERING CYLINDER SIDE WALL AND HAVING A DOOR OPENING THEREIN ARRANGED FOR REGISTERING WITH SAID LAUNDERING CYLINDER DOOR OPENING, AND AN ACCESS DOOR MOUNTED ON SAID CASING CYLINDER SIDE WALL FOR MOVEMENT TO OPEN AND CLOSE SAID DOOR OPENING THEREIN; SECOND MOUNTING MEANS INDEPENDENT OF SAID FIRST MOUNTING MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID CASING CYLINDER ENTIRELY INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID LAUNDERING CYLINDER AND FOR ROTATION ABOUT SAID AXIS; DRIVE MEANS CONNECTED TO ONE OF SAID SHAFTS FOR ROTATING SAID LAUNDERING CYLINDER ABOUT SAID AXIS INDEPENDENTLY OF SAID CASING CYLINDER; AND DRIVE MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID CASING CYLINDER ABOUT SAID AXIS, WHEREBY THE RESPECTIVE CYLINDER DOOR OPENINGS MAY BE DISPOSED IN REGISTER WITH EACH OTHER AT A PLURALITY OF ROTATIONAL POSITIONS FOR PERFORMING LOADING AND UNLOADING OPERTIONS THEREAT. 